In a just world, here is how the moderator should have dealt with the anti-American campaign’s VP candidate, Mike ‘The Quiet Hun’ Pence.
Mike Pence revealed his cowardice at the vice presidential candidates debate by not coming out and admitting he loathes members of the LGBTQ community.
While there can never be enough fact-checking of right-wing nut-job candidates, moderator Elaine Quijano tried to be fair to the member of the Party of Stupid. But that approach lets a dangerous demagogue off the hook.
In a just world, here is how things should have gone:
Quijano: Governor Pence, there are a number of areas where your positions differ from those of your running mate, Donald Trump. You supported NAFTA, while Donald Trump is now against it. You voted for the authorization for the Iraq war, which Donald Trump is now against. You were in favor of the Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP, and your running mate opposes it.
Pence: Well, Elaine, I–
Quijano: You opposed Donald Trump’s unconstitutional ban on Muslims and offered verbal support to the Gold Star Family, the Khans, who Mr. Trump assailed and mocked.
Pence: Yes, well, there are reasons why I–
Quijano: You opposed Saddam Hussein, a brutal dictator who attacked, imprisoned and killed his own people, while Mr. Trump has praised him.
Pence: But if–
Quijano: You spoke out against Russian computer hackers while your running mate encouraged them.
Pence: Look, reasonable people can have differences among themselves.
Quijano: I see. Let’s examine the concept of “reasonable people.” You harmed your state — and harmed the cause of justice — by signing an anti-LGBTQ law.
Pence: Religious freedom dictates that we–
Quijano: You deny the indisputable facts about climate change.
Pence: The evidence is cloudy on that and–
Quijano: You don’t recognize that tobacco is deadly.
Pence: The growers and manufacturers–
Quijano: From your statements, you don’t seem to understand the concept of evolutionary biology.
Pence: Religious freedoms allow–
Quijano: You accused the Walt Disney organization of inserting political propaganda into their animated children’s films.
Pence: I saw it! It was–
Quijano: Getting to the main issue, how can anyone with a conscience join the campaign of something like a Trump?
Pence: Donald Trump is a fine American who–
Quijano: As Steve Benen of MaddowBlog puts it, “Over the course of his strange career in politics, Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated a striking indifference towards public policy, current events, governmental institutions, international affairs, and occasionally, basic human decency.” Governor, your thoughts?
Pence: I think that is a biased viewpoint.
Quijano: How can a true viewpoint also be biased?
Pence: Look, Elaine–
Quijano: Ms. Quijano.
Pence: I’m sorry?
Quijano: I have continually addressed you as Governor Pence and not “Mike.” Would you kindly act the same way?
Pence: I’m sorry, Ms. Quijano, but this is an example of political correctness that is just tearing our country apart and I–
Quijano: Really? The racism, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia of your campaign and your adherents are acceptable but normal politeness is tearing our country apart?
Pence: Well, no, but it’s just, look, sometimes–
Quijano: Thank you, Governor Pence for what some people might call your inspiring insight and worldly wisdom.
In a just world, that’s what would have happened. But then again, in a just world, decent people would not have to suffer from the effects of right-wing nut-job bigots.
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Editorial Note: Be aware this series of political articles running up to the 2016 political election may contain intentional satire, by author John Scott G, and not fully based on actual fact (aside from some of the stupider things, which are sadly 100% factual).
This opinion piece is Copr. © 2016 by John Scott G and originally published on CaliforniaNewswire.com – a publication of The Neotrope® News Network – all commercial and reprint rights reserved. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author. Editorial collage image by and Copr. © John Scott G.
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